DENNIS ODA / DODA@STARBULLETIN.COM
Catcher Creighton Kahoali'i and the 8-5 Rainbows face San Francisco this weekend.
Rested Rainbows
take on the DonsHawaii had an extra day off
leading up to its next series
Coach Mike Trapasso gave the Hawaii Rainbows an extra day off this week, but not because they have won seven consecutive games.
San Francisco at Hawaii
When: Tomorrow and Saturday, 6:35 p.m.; Sunday 1:05 p.m.
Where: Murakami Stadium
TV: None
Radio: Sunday's game only, KKEA, 1420-AM
Tickets: $6 Orange, Blue levels. $5 Red level. $4 Seniors, children age 4-18, UH students in the Red level.
Parking: $3
"We have been going at it pretty hard the past two weeks and we play eight games in the next nine days," Trapasso said. "The players deserved the extra day off."
Hawaii starts a three-game nonconference series with the San Francisco Dons tomorrow at 6:35 p.m. at Murakami Stadium. Following a day off Monday, the First Hawaii Title Rainbow Baseball Tournament begins Tuesday and runs through March 6.
The winning streak is nice, but it is not the focus of the Rainbows (8-5) or the coaches.
"It is still early in the season and we are still working on things," Trapasso said. "We still have to get our pitching settled and we walked too many batters in the Hilo series."
For the pitching staff to jell and develop more depth, Trapasso wants to get more innings for freshman right-hander Steven Wright and sophomore right-handers Keahi Rawlins and Guy McDowell.
"This is why I'm excited the tournament is coming up," Trapasso said.
With Clary Carlsen in the starting rotation as the Sunday pitcher, but available to close Friday and Saturday, having McDowell comfortable in the closer role would bolster the bullpen. Trapasso also wants to get right-hander Rich Olsen back to pitching rather than just throwing. The sophomore from Iolani is capable of filling any role -- starter, long relief, setup or closer.
The rotation remains the same, with Ricky Bauer going tomorrow night against the Dons (3-6), who are coming off a 7-4 win at California. Stephen Wright gets the Saturday starting assignment, with Carlsen scheduled for Sunday.
The UH defense showed considerable improvement last week, committing just on error in three games against UHH.
Trapasso still wants his team to run more. The Rainbows are 16-for-18 in stolen-base attempts. That aspect of the UH game, along with the continued improvement in executing the sacrifice bunt, is one reason the 'Bows have hit into just five double plays this season.
Note: There are three local players, infielders Royce Fukuroku (Maui) and Cy Donald (Mililani) and right-hander Patrick McGuigan (Mid-Pacific), on the USF roster. ... McGuigan is the Dons' earned run average leader at 1.59. ... UH pitching coach Chad Konishi recruited Fukuroku and Donald when he was an assistant at USF.
